The Robert Sanchez transfer that will take the Spanish goalkeeper from Brighton to Chelsea is all but done after the two clubs agreed on a transfer fee for the 25-year-old. The clubs have been in discussions for several days after it first emerged that Mauricio Pochettino was keen on adding another goalkeeper to his squad to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa wrestled the number one shirt off Édouard Mendy last season when Graham Potter was the manager and after Mendy left the club earlier this summer to play in Saudi Arabia, the club were without any real competition to Kepa. As such, Pochettino made Robert Sanchez his number one target and the two clubs began discussions alongside the ones already taking place for Brighton midfielder, Moises Caicedo.
Thankfully, the negotiations for Sanchez have proved to be much simpler and quicker than those for Caicedo. For starters, Sanchez wasn't exactly wanted at Brighton after he reacted poorly to being dropped for Jason Steele last season. Secondly, Chelsea were prepared to pay Brighton's asking price for the player and a deal has been struck for £25m.
Sanchez will now travel to Stamford Bridge to sign on the dotted line at Chelsea and undergo a medical. If everything goes smoothly, then he should be in Pochettino's matchday squad for their opening game of the Premier League season against Liverpool on Sunday, August 13th.
Chelsea have agreed fee around £20m fixed for Robert Sánchez — it includes add ons up to £25m package 🚨🔵
Long term deal verbally agreed with Sánchez who always wanted to join #CFC.
🇪🇨 Caicedo talks continue in separate deal.
🇺🇸 Slonina will now leave on loan.
Here we go ✔️ pic.twitter.com/aJn5BDF1oe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2023
Will Caicedo be joining Sanchez at Chelsea?
The signing of Sanchez is positive for Chelsea in several ways. Firstly, they are getting a goalkeeper in who, until March last season, was regarded as one of the most promising goalkeepers in the league. Considering Kepa Arrizabalaga is yet to convince anyone that he is worthy of the Chelsea number one shirt after five years at the club suggests competition is very much needed.
Secondly, it suggests that relations between the two clubs are still positive despite Brighton rejecting a series of bids from Chelsea for midfielder, Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian is understood to be keen on the move to Stamford Bridge but the Seagulls are after £100m for his signature, a price Chelsea are reluctant to go too.
However, the deal is not completely dead in the water and the Blues are expected to test Brighton's resolve at least one more time before the transfer window shuts at the start of September. If Caicdeo formally puts in a transfer request, then Brighton may well be forced into accepting a lower offer for their star midfielder.
